South Dakota to seek death penalty for man who killed deputy

The South Dakota Attorney General's office filed notice on Wednesday that it intends to seek the death penalty for a man who killed a deputy during a police chase.

Joseph Gene Hoek of Sioux Falls struck Moody County Chief Deputy Ken Prorok of Wentworth on Feb. 2 while Prorok was putting spikes on the road during the chase. 

After reviewing the circumstances of the case and meeting with the victim's family and the sheriff, Attorney General Marty Jackley decided that the death penalty was warranted.

Hoek pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and aggravated eluding, and his attorneys said they may seek an insanity defense.

Investigators said that Hoek was on a "downward spiral" when he killed Prorok, including escalating drug use and threats of violence.

The fact that Prorok was killed in the line of duty and that Hoek was trying to evade arrest when it happened were aggravating factors that called for the death penalty, Jackley said.